Gmc C SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
66,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 28.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 17.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Steering: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
1995: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 6; 2005: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10121173 · 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
DEATH CAUSED IN APRIL 11, 1988 DUE TO ABS FAILURE--INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AND SINCE THAT TIME, FILE REMAINS. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE CAN PERIODICALLY RETREIVE ALL DATA RELATING TO OTHER GMC TRUCK ACCIDENTS INVOLVED WITH FAILED STEERING, BRAKES ETC. THE CASE WILL REMAIN OPEN AS GMC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LYNNE KERRIGAN GEORGES DEATH AND ACCORDING TO OUR KNOWLEDGE AND RECORDS, THIS IS A CASE OF TOTAL NEGLIGANCE ON THE PART OF GMC AND THEIR AFFILIATES. WE NEED TO REVIEW ALL THE DATA SINCE THAT DAY OF EVERY COMPLAINT, ACCIDENT, DEATH, INJURY, ETC. AS TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966750 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
PROBLEM WITH REAR ABS BRAKE SYSTEM TELLING THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966861 · 1995-06-14 (June 14, 1995)
BENCH SEAT BACK REST COMES FORWARD AUTOMATICALLY WHEN BRAKING SUDDENLY; HARD TO STEER WITH BODY AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070039 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THIS VEHICLES WIPER BLADE SYSTEM FAILS SPORADICALLY. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE RETAILER FOR THIS PROBLEM AND A PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT WHEN IT ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN START AND THE WIPERS WORKED ALSO. HOWEVER, THE WIPERS STILL FAIL EITHER WHEN THEY WERE ALREADY WORKING AND WHEN TURNED ON INITIALLY. TO ME THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIRING ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM SEEN IN THE '97 YUKON WHICH HAD A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO THE '9…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10611015 · 2014-07-16 (July 16, 2014)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DRIVER SIDE DASH MELTING SHORTING FUSE PANEL, UNABLE TO USE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, NOR REMOTE LOCK/ENTRY ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10611015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069462 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I CANT KEEP A FUELPUMP OR TRANSMISSION IN THIS TRUCK.I DID SOME TOWING BUT WITH IN LIMITS. I HATE THIS TRUCK!!!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069768 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT TRUCK. IN MAY 2003 TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO AND WAS TOLD BY DUTTON MOTORS IN RIVERSIDE THAT GMPP WAS NOT GOING TO PAY THE CLAIM BECAUSE WE MISSINSTALLED A TRANSMISSION FILTER. APPROVED DUTTON TO FIX CAR AND FIND OUT THEY NEVER PUT IN A CLAIM TO GMPP. CALLED DUTTON TO SEE WHY AND THEY ENDED UP HAVING GMPP ADJUSTER OUT WHEN TRUCK WAS ALREADY FIXED. GMPP DENIED CLAIMING WRONG FILTER INSTALLED. WE WERE TOLD BY DUTTON FILTER WAS INSTALLED WRONG. TWO DIFFERENT STORIES. WE PAID TO HAVE TRUCK FIXED BUT COMPLAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069780 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE TRIES TO START BUT IT DOESN'T CATCH AND THEN SOUNDS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO BACK FIRE. THE AC COIL IS LEAKING ON TO THE CAP AND PRODUCING MOISTURE WHICH IS WHY IT WILL NOT START OR STALLS AND WILL NOT START BACK UP. GMC SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS MY 3RD GMC VAN AND HAVE NEVER HAD THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS OR I WOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THE 2ND ONE. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861102 · 2000-04-28 (April 28, 2000)
FUEL OVER FLOW IS LOCATED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. WHEN REFUELING THE EXCESS WOULD SPILL OUT OF OVERFLOW ONTO THE FUEL TANK NEXT TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861102 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
1993: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1998: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 1; 2002: 0; 2005: 0; 2007: 0; 2008: 0; 2009: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1989 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | Not available |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 | Not available |
| 2001 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | -1 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | Not available |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 0 |